Photography Thailand Forum

[agitlits]

Hi all,

Well, my time has come. I'm going to visit Thailand again - the land I love and adore. This will be my first songkran in LOS and I'm looking forward to it, especially taking photos. Can anyone give me advice on how to protect my gear while taking photos? Are there any special water resistant bags/ casing to prevent from camera/ lens getting drenched?

Thanks

Alex

[thebelge]

All depend if you have a compact camera or a D/SLR.
You can find cheap underwater protect case to protect perfectly your compact camera.
For DSLR their price are too high (often same price or more than be body) to imagine buy one.
So in these case you have DSLR or SLR you can just protect it with transparent Zip locks that you use to put your food in the fridge. It works well as long as you take your pics with care and fix all the stuff with scotch tapes all around. I manage to even protect my lens using rubber strap around the lens. no problem of water. my D100 NIkon resist songkran for 3 entire days without problem.
Many other photographers used the same tricks with different looks and process. what was funny to see.
By the way the best location to take pics of songkran and enjoy totaly the party is Chiang Mai. There the party is all around the city. In Bangkok it's just in some specific location like the famous Kao San, Silom and other long streets.

Enjoy, you have 4 months to protect your gear the best you can

[agitlits]

Thanks Frederic,

I use a Nikon D70. I think the bags are probably the best/ easiest/ cheapest option for me. The only worry I have is the lens but I guess it's as long as I am careful to keep the front element away from water.

I'm planning to go to Chiang Mai for Songkran   

Cheers
Alex

[thebelge]

Sure you have to take care of it all the time. And people who noticed you have a camera should try to avoid splash you too much. But some won't see or care and for that reason you have to seal it as much as possible.
You can protect the lens inserting it in the ziplock. As long as it's long enough it can handle the zooming in and out. But it's not as so easy to use than without plastic protection. But i didnt miss any shot and the focus was always good, just dont bring your flash useless and too hard to protect too.

Have fun.

Fred

[bjorn slis]

Alex, here in CM you can buy those bags specially made for cameras in different  sizes for 1900 baht at photobug the only shop (as far as I know) that sells them here (always sold out around songkran) I'm sure there available where you live too.
I tried one about a month ago and it fits the d70. The good thing is that there is a tube for your lens too.

looks like a cheap version of this http://www.ewa-marine.de/

[agitlits]

Alex, here in CM you can buy those bags specially made for cameras in different  sizes for 1900 baht at photobug the only shop (as far as I know) that sells them here (always sold out around songkran) I'm sure there available where you live too.
I tried one about a month ago and it fits the d70. The good thing is that there is a tube for your lens too.

looks like a cheap version of this http://www.ewa-marine.de/

Hi Bjorn,

Thanks - this is very useful advice for me. I didn't know special bags existed. Do you by any chance know the brand of the bag (the expensive one)? I don't mind paying 1900 baht for this. If I can't find it in Australia, I will contact you for directions of to this shop :)

Thanks again

Alex

[bjorn slis]

Alex, I will pass by the shop early next week and find the info for you.


bjorn

[thebelge]

Oh, great invention. Can even put the flash inside the bag.
That doesnt exist 4 years ago. We cannot stop the progress :)

Photobug is located on, Chayapum Road, a little distance to the right of the Amora Thapae Hotel, as you are facing the city moat. Right next to the famous Thapae Gate.

Fred

[agitlits]

Thanks a lot, Bjorn. I'd better buy one in Oz before I leave otherwise I might miss out.

Fred - cheers for the directions!

Alex

[SimonP]

Hi Alex,
I bet you're looking forward to your trip!  Just thought I'd add a couple of things for your info.  Depending on how long you're planning to be here you could consider some other destinations for Songkran.  Once out of Bangkok the holiday is over a longer period which means it is possible to see this crazy festival in more than one place.  Having said that, travel can take a lot longer than normal and if you can it is good to have reservations in advance.

I mention the following as I know of your interest in Laos.  From Chiang Mai heading to Chiang Khong it is possible to take a boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang (two days by slowboat, one day by speedboat!).  Here the New Year Festival is celebrated as well but is more traditional than places like Chiang Mai or Bangkok.  Yes, you still have to worry about your equipment but not as much.

Other places that could be good in Thailand include the Three Pagodas Pass on the Burmese Border past Kanchanaburi and at Phanom Rung Temple in Buriram Province. 

Simon.

[David Salmanowitz]

Alex--You might want to also check out bags made by Kata. A friend was using them last month and it seemed to work very well. I had a big lens on my camera, and a shower cap was not big enough, but they are often a great and cheap way to protect the camera. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4701

[agitlits]

Hi Simon for recommendations.

Thanks. We will also be in Chiang Rai for the festivities. We will also travel in Isaan and south - very intense schedule :-)

Cheers
Alex

[agitlits]

Alex--You might want to also check out bags made by Kata. A friend was using them last month and it seemed to work very well. I had a big lens on my camera, and a shower cap was not big enough, but they are often a great and cheap way to protect the camera. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=NavBar&A=search&Q=&ci=4701

Thanks very much for the info, David. Will consider this.

Cheers
Alex

[agitlits]

Sorry meant to say "Thanks for recommendations, Simon"

Cheers
Alex

Hi Simon for recommendations.

Thanks. We will also be in Chiang Rai for the festivities. We will also travel in Isaan and south - very intense schedule :-)

Cheers
Alex

[danielc]

you might laugh, but this worked for me in the desert, use a condom!

I shoot with a Canon 1dmkII and 24-70 lens and found that the non-lubricated ones helped keep the sand out. Anyone who knows what middle african sand is like (very very fine) knows that it gets in everywhere, even on the weather sealed 1d series, but the condom worked a treat